Marathoning

Bolder Boulder 10K

Published May 27, 2013

5 months of running has led me back home for my last 2 races before Alaska.

The Bolder Boulder is an annual 10-kilometer road race in Boulder, Colorado. The most recent race featured over 54,000 runners, walkers, and wheelchair racers, making it the largest race in the US in which all participants are timed and the fifth largest road race in the world. It has one of the largest non-marathon prize purses in road racing.

The race culminates at the University of Colorado’s Folsom Field with a Memorial Day Tribute with one of the largest Memorial Day gatherings in the United States.

Just one year ago, I didn’t think I was fit enough to complete a 1oK at 5500 ft. WOW – look at me now! Today’s run was my 7^th race of 2013 – including 3 half-marathons in Moab, Fort Collins & Denver. FAAANNTASTIC!

Woke early, headed to South Boulder to catch a bus to the starting line. My qualifying wave (heat) was scheduled to start at 7:11am – just 11 minutes after the elite runners. How cool is that!

Have never run in such a large event before. As we ran through Boulder, I was super impressed by all the crowd support – live bands, crazy costumes & even belly dancers – and all at 7 in the morning. AMAZING!

Ran strong all race – only running ahead of marathon pace for the first mile. Unlike last weekend’s race in Denver, I maintained my pace & did not get caught up in running too fast. I’ve got enough gas in the tank to sprint 3 miles – but the ultimate goal is 26.2 miles on June 22^nd. Gotta keep my eye on the prize!

Nothing like finishing at Folsum Field (CU Stadium) – crowd cheering, seeing yourself on the Jumbotron. 51:24 – my 2nd best 10K finish (fastest time since 2001).

Feeling strong, ready for next weekend’s half in Louisville.

CHECK OUT my video ‘BolderBoulder 2013’

BolderBoulder 2013

under 48 minutes – fastest 10K ever

Believe-to-Achieve Thursday: BORG

Published May 23, 2013

Reflections on my first sports obsession – Björn Borg

Growing up rurally I did not have a ton of TV exposure but one of my first sports memories was watching Wimbledon & Swedish tennis legend, Björn Borg. All of the American stars were angry, screaming at umpires, throwing rackets – but Borg stayed icy cool, focused, no emotion, no noise – just steely determination.

In addition to his incredible gamesmanship, Borg maintained a few unique superstitions. Each Wimbledon fortnight he stopped shaving throughout the entire tournament. Did it work? The guy won 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles.

Friday May 17^th was my last shave day. Expect it’s gonna get ugly – but hoping to awake my inner Borg.

Marathon in 30 days!

completed my 3rd half marathon – sixth race of 2013
running the BolderBoulder on May 27^th, another half marathon on June 1^st, (hopefully) hiking a 14er (Longs Peak) on June 15^th – then A-L-A-S-K-A

Movie of the Week

Django Unchained (2012) – vintage Quentin Tarantino, not for the faint of heart. I had avoided this film thinking it was a slavery flic (an embarrassing portion of U.S. history which is often film romanticized). In reality, Jamie Foxx & Christoph Waltz are bounty hunters. It a long film (could have easily ended 30 minutes earlier) but fresh & completely original. Recommended for Jamie Foxx’s performance alone (but warning: there’s a high body count).

Runner Log

Sat May 18^th – 6 miles

Sun May 19^th – RACE DAY (Colfax Half Marathon 13.1 miles, Denver CO)

Tue May 21^st – 5.25 miles

Wed May 22^nd AM – .75 miles

Wed May 22^nd PM – 10.5 miles

Thu May 23^rd – 3.25 miles

YTD total – 647.45 miles

Björn Borg

Posted in Run Challenges | Leave a comment

May race: Colfax Half Marathon

Published May 19, 2013

Just back from sea level, less than a week to altitude adjust my running for May’s race – the Colfax Half Marathon in Denver.

Was sucking wind at 3 miles on Monday’s training run but by Thursday not only hit my stride, but ran 20 miles – my longest distance run in 2013. So…on Sunday I felt super confident – this being my 3^rd half marathon of 2013.

Overslept my 4 a.m. alarm on Sunday (race day) by 45 minutes so rushed around, quickly walked Ro & barreled down the highway headed for the Denver Zoo (official race parking). Parking was already full at 5:45 a.m. (argh) but luckily found on-street parking only another 5 minutes away. Whew – now I could kick back and relax ‘til the 7 a.m. start time.

For today’s race I was able to use my time in Moab (my first Half in March) to qualify for a lower race wave. AWESOME! So instead of running in the thick of 3,000 people, I qualified for E corral (5^th wave) & wasn’t blocked in by so many bodies.

My time goal was to beat last month’s Fort Collins time at just under 2 hours. Focused on going out fast (kinda risky) in an effort to catch “C” wave which started almost 4 minutes ahead of me…and then maintain pace ’til race finish.

Raced thru the Zoo between miles 2 & 3, then caught & followed ‘C’ wave just past mile 5. Despite running 20 miles only 3 days prior, I felt zapped at 12 miles. My pace started dropping off fast. Finish line ahead. Relieved then stunned.

Ran a 2013 personal best today 1:49.42 – a full 10 minutes faster than last month’s Half Marathon. That’s why my energy was zapped. Additionally, raised money for my charity of choice – Autism Speaks. Enjoyed BBQ & Blues AND still managed to shower & attend church. Busy day. Did I mention ‘Personal Best’? Woo-hoo! Only 34 days left ’til my Alaska marathon.

Congratulations #6126 K R HAGA!
Here are your results for the Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon:

Your final time is 01:49:42.
You finished 672 out of 5165 in the HALF MARATHON.